Section T-7 Observe Yourself as a Teacher

doi:10.4324/9780203767887-110

ABSTRACT

For one week, observe yourself in the act of teaching. Look at your own behavior relative to the following:

1. How do I act towards my pupils? Is my attitude friendly, courteous and encouraging?	Yes ______ No _____
Or is it critical, nagging, impatient?	Yes ______ No _____
2. Do I use bribes (promises of rewards) as incentives?	Yes ______ No _____
3. Do I continually issue orders, directives, and commands?	Yes ______ No _____
4. Do I accompany instructions and demands with threats of punishments?	Yes ______ No _____
5. Do I berate or put the child down when I disapprove of his/her actions?	Yes ______ No _____
6. Is my attitude that of trying in a friendly and kindly manner to educate each child?	Yes ______ No _____
7. Are my pupils “disciplined” (punished, that is) as I think other adults expect me to, rather than treated in ways that actually benefit him/her?	Yes ______ No _____
8. Do I humiliate my pupils by publicly scolding them when they “let me down” by failing to say “please” “thank you.” or failing to shake hands, etc.?	Yes ______ No _____
9. Do I insist on adult standards and manners from my pupils (such as forcing children to sit still too long with nothing interesting to do or to exhibit perfect manners?	Yes ______ No _____
10. Do I jump on my pupils for faults that I accept or ignore in myself?	Yes ______ No _____
11. Do I talk so much (lecture, moralize, correct, nag, “bitch,” scold, complain, criticize) that my pupils become “deaf” to my words?	Yes ______ No _____
12. As a teacher, do I regard respect, consideration, and friendly cooperation as something to be earned rather than demanded?	Yes ______ No _____
13. Do I show more approval than disapproval of my pupils?	Yes ______ No _____
14. Do I find things to like about each child?	Yes ______ No _____
15. Do I build each child up, encourage, and boost his/her confidence?	Yes ______ No _____
16. Am I more interested in helping each child be right than proving to him/her how wrong he/she is?	Yes ______ No _____
17. Do I show partiality or favoritism and negatively compare my pupils with other children, either in or out of the class?	Yes ______ No _____